Overcoming Fear and Starting a Business

Biblical Principles for Business and Bible Verses Every Small Business Owner Needs

Faith and Christian business do have a place in the world. Not only is there room for Christian business leaders, but I believe there is a shortage of Christian business leaders who not only conduct their business with maximum integrity but also stand firm in their public eye of conviction and love for Christ. Overcoming fear and starting a business takes courage and faith, and I believe it’s up to Christians to show others how to lay down their fear. How do you overcome fear and start a business? This article will uncover over 36 biblical business principles and Bible verses to help you along the way.

Not sure if a Christian led business can be successful? If you’ve ever heard of:

Hobby Lobby

Chic-Fil-A

Wal-Mart

Wendy’s

Day’s Inn

C. Penney

Then you have seen first hand the success of business under Christian Leadership. To this day, Hobby Lobby and Chic-Fil-A are still closed for business on Sunday. Christian faith and business prowess are not mutually exclusive.

Fear of starting my own business

Today, as in millennia past, to be a Christian brazenly requires a lot of courage. It takes many people a very good part of their life to publicly declare their loyalty without shame or doubt. Fear of public opinion on Christianity is huge: the fear of loss of customers, loss of followers, loss of viewers, and the fear of lawsuits. Then the ultimate fear, the uncertainty of starting a business God’s way. It can be a personal struggle for a Christian business leader, a challenge with the role they play in their careers or business. One such struggle is the pride and sense of personal accomplishment that often comes with success. There is no doubt that a healthy level of personal satisfaction and pride in work does sneak in, but when we begin to forget God and the part of grace and our presentation in our success, we enter dangerous territory. And that’s a fear worth noting but not worth indulging. Finally, there is also a certain fear that permeates the idea of starting a business.

Even though many are nervous about starting a business, it’s no wonder the idea of starting a business is tossed around a lot these days. According to Gallup, 70% of U.S. workers are not engaged at work. Even more, alarming the elusive ‘employment rate,’ we hear so much about. Looking at the Statista reports is frightening. One one hand, in 2017 the U.S. Employment stood at 60.1 percent. Not bad right? A closer look at the definition of employment you see that employed persons include persons who worked any work for wages or profit during the survey week; Persons who worked at least 15 hours; including unpaid work in a family business; and persons temporarily absent from their normal work due to illness, vacation, bad weather, industrial controversy or various personal reasons. On the other hand, who can support a family working 15 hours per week?

For Christians, entrepreneurship can be like a calling. For others, it’s a burning desire. Either way, the fears given for not starting a business are pretty much the same:

Fear of the unknown.

Fear of failure.

Fear of discomfort.

Even more common than one may think, fear of success.

Whatever the reason, too many allow it to paralyze them into never realizing their dream of owning a business. This isn’t acceptable for your average person, but this is definitely not acceptable for Christians. We need Christians running businesses with integrity, honesty, and the values that they maintain in their personal lives. As Christians, overcoming fear in business, begins and ends with God’s word. The most common charge for us in the Bible is, “Fear not.”

Fear is a complicated emotion. It can motivate us or again it can paralyze us depending on how we choose to access it. As Christians, we must not let it control our lives. In its own way, fear can be an idol that takes our focus from God, leaving us to continuously worry about “what if?”

God’s word on starting a business

The Bible speaks a lot about courage, but one amazing verse about what I’m talking about:

“And Jesus said unto them … , If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible to you.”

Think of what you could do with just the faith the size of a mustard seed! I don’t know what my level of faith would be sized as, but I’m sure it is larger than a mustard seed!

Take courage, have faith, and pray to consider what you need to do. Do not be afraid to start a business. If the business does not make sense, or you know deep down it just will not work, it’s one thing, but do not let blind fear of the unknown be your reason.

Use the Bible as a Business Learning Tool

The first step in creating a business or expanding an established business without fear and in God’s way is to use the Bible as a learning tool to learn the principles of God to create, expand and maintain your business. By using the Bible, we are given the natural power within us to develop the shining light that God gives us for success, prosperity, and love.

As God reveals in detail His ethics to you, a traditional business plan must follow to keep the business idea.

Biblical Principles for Business

There are many biblical principles for running a business. Business must have a declared vision (purpose, understanding), existence. For businesses, smart planning and execution can reduce many risks. Also, be diligent, hard-working, having persistence in business and will pay in the long run. The Bible tells us that those who are diligent and work hard in business will see an increase.

Habakkuk 2:2 advises us to Communicate the Vision and make it plain.

Luke 14:28 advises us plan for risks before you act.

Proverbs 22:29 advises us to be diligent.

Proverbs 13:11 advises that hard work brings forth increase.

Deuteronomy 25:15 advises businesses do not cheat the customer.

Proverbs 31:18 tells us sell quality.

1st Kings 10:15 tells us foster good trading relationships.

Romans 12:17 advises to be honest in all business dealings.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing.

Running a business God’s way means you also need to have open communication lines with God. This is why God’s word says, “Pray without ceasing.” Pray when things are tough and when things are good. Pray regularly and sporadically. Pray for wisdom and ability. Pray for compassion, and pray for truth, and pray for the ability to listen and hear.

He knows how much we need prayer to succeed that’s why He told us never to stop praying. Learn to make prayer an ongoing mindset of open communication with an Almighty God. These biblical principles are what doing business God’s way is all about.

God wants you to invest

The parable of talents (Matthew 25: 14-30) proves that God wants us to invest money, and not fear. This is for a number of reasons. First being that it will improve your life if done properly. Second, the Bible is quite clear about God’s view on money; this is a tool to use. If you are covetous in this tool and keep it close to your heart for fear it might break down, then which master do you serve?

Investment, in some ways, can be thought of as a test of faith. Obviously, I do not mean it as a blank check and just throw your money in everything and say “It’s all up to you God!” However, you also do not have to desire money to the point of being deathly scared of losing it on risk.

Take the courage that the Bible offers you, pray, and objectively, and make a wise decision. There is no room for fear when considering starting a business.

The parable of the Hidden Treasure

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

33 Bible Verses Every Small Business Owner Needs

1 Kings 10:15

“Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NIV

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 AMP

“For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!”

3 John 1:2 NIV

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

Deuteronomy 25:15

“But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV

“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Habakkuk 2:2

“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 45:2 NIV

“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.”

Job 6: 11-13 NIV

“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Luke 14:28

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?.”

Mark 5:36 NIV

“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.””

Matthew 21:22 NIV

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 13:11

“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”

Proverbs 2:6-8 NIV

“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”

Proverbs 22:29

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

Proverbs 29:11 NIV

“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”

Proverbs 31:18

“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”

Psalm 119:64 NIV

“The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.”

Psalm 23 1-4 NIV

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Romans 12:17

“Recompense to no man evil for evil, Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Romans 15: 2-3 NIV

“ Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

Romans 8:5 NIV

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Zec. 4:10 NIV

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

In Perspective

When it feels like you are the only one who believes in your business, believes in your dream. You will be right, you are. But, God wants us to push ourselves to greatness. It will happen plenty of times; don’t be afraid, fear not. Have faith, believe in yourself, and believe in your business. Do your homework and move forward.

Job 6: 11-13 tells us that we must be patient in life and in business. In Christ, there is always hope. Success is never a straight line up. As you face great challenges, know that God is always working. And sometimes when things do not go your way in business, this is his way of protecting you from unknown trouble. Keep in mind that His time is not our time.

God promises to give us Wisdom as a gift when we ask earnestly. As you seek God in devotion each day, continuously pray for wisdom and guidance because God promises to answer those who seek Him. In the same way, our main focus should be on seeking Godʼs Kingdom. Everything else is secondary when compared to the riches we have in Him. As you think more and more on starting your business, take action and more importantly, seek wisdom through the scriptures and meditate on His Word throughout your day.

Corrie ten Boom, a Christian writer, said it best when she wrote, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

What fears prevented you from starting a business? Or what fears do you have to overcome after starting your business?

Michele Thompson is the Director of Operations at Marqui Management, an author, entrepreneur and finance coach. She has over twenty years of experience in mortgage banker finance, global investor services, real estate and debt consulting. Coupled with her advanced degrees she drives to help new and existing businesses to reach their goals. Connect with Michele via social media or her website here @ Michele Thompson